Tres chic!!!

where does he store all those bertoia chairs? That is quite a hefty pricetag, assuming that they aren't repros.

just sayin'.....

Just love the way the light glows.The whole thing looks very elegant
Wonder what the neighbors thought though!.

The floral arrangments are lovely.

What a fantastic idea!!

did he okay it with the neighbors first? I remember some neighbors doing this in our parking lot and being annoyed by it...they could have at least invited us :-(

"Interstitial space" sounds so much nicer than "alley." Looks like a charming and budget-friendly production.

Oh, Wow.

I love the browns he used....it makes the table look like it belongs there.

I wonder how sound would carry up to the other apartments, though.

What was on the menu?

nyc wife, i was wondering the same thing...

nyc wife/mjr, they were probably rentals.

love this.

Tres ostentatious...

the whole idea of commandeering a public space for ones own personal use is the epitome of tasteless if you ask me...

Unless you are feeding the public, a public space should not be used for a private party.

I live in Chicago and I recognize this sort of space. It doesn't feel like a public space to me; it feels like part of my backyard (albeit a backyard I share with many other people). I think it's one thing to park your party in the middle of the sidewalk, but this is more like having a barbecue in the backyard or in the park.

Thanks Regina. It was quite enchanted.

A few comments about the neighbors, anybody who happened upon Dave's gathering would most likely be charmed, as the scene was so unexpected and beautiful (these photos don't do it justice). Also, the gathering wasn't held in a public area exactly. It's just a narrow gangway between two buildings.

Plus the building's two blocks from Wrigley Field, so, to borrow and hack a phrase, "Those neighbors have seen the epitome of tasteless. The epitome of tasteless has left evidence (both biodegradable and non-biodegradable). And that, my friends, is not the epitome of tasteless."

Tate
www.strangeclosets.com

Gorgeous & Well planned! Great use of space and lighting. I applaud the gumption to make it happen! Style is nothing without vision and foresight!

Jamilkb - Poor dear, I am sorry to hear you have never had a picnic in the park with good friends, shared a baguette and glass of wine on bench along the River Seine with a loved one. These events do classify as "commandeering" a public space.

In all good taste, my money is the neighbors who where 'put out" by this glorious event are probably planning one of their own as we speak.

Viva Al Fresco!

I agree with JamilkB. I was the victim of a party very much like this a few weekends ago. While the idea of putting real furniture out into a dismal public space (and it is absolutely not a backyard, Somethingelse, it's more likely an off-limits alleyway between a five-story walkup) is interesting and the party I witnessed did admittedly have a look that might be considered "magical" in a magazine spread, in actuality it was extremely noisy and the guests were completely inconsiderate to the dozens of neighbors they were inconveniencing with their loud chatter and music. The party went very late and I'm surprised no one called the cops. There were plenty of shouts from the apartments facing the unauthorized soiree.

Unexpected and beautiful, love when people are resourceful.

This is great! Looks like it was a wonderful evening.

Perhaps i'm just a little too considerate of others to consider this sort of thing "charming" or "stylish".

nmoss1000: I've actually done both. What you seem to have missed is that a park is designed and provided for such activity, as are the the benches along the Seine...

The suggested commandeering of a public accessway, right-of-way, or any other pedestrian or vehicular path is antithetical to a lifestyle that is respectful of the personal & public space of others.

The fact that this party was held in a gangway, does make it a tad more acceptable for me I guess...although I can't imagine that the tenants whose windows face down into the space felt all too pleased with the arrangement.

Ultimately, I just hope this doesn't turn into "the new thing" . It's bad enough that every streetfront restaurant wants to turn the public sidewalk into outdoor dining space these days..the last thing we need is private citizens turning it into their dining rooms.

the table setting is very elegant and well done. the lighting is creative and chic. however, i must agree with my fellow posters who object with the use of a seemingly public space for a private function. how do you keep the local bachelor house from hosting a "kegger" in the same space?

and unless the bertoia chairs were inherited, this hardly qualifies as "budget" entertaining.

I think it's charming and wonderful. As the world becomes more crowded, we'll need ingenuity to carve out spaces like this.

I am not sure this should be all together discouraged...with noise ordinances to keep the keggers at bay; why discriminate against urban dwellers [who do their part for mass population via upwards living] being able to host soirees out of doors...?

Wow. I just got an email about this posting. Very flattering.

Some answers:

The bertoia chairs are real and live in my basement storage bin. Although they are currently for sale on craigs list. 12 for 2400 if anyone needs a set :-)

The space is shared by six apartments. What you don't see in the pictures is the pile of BBQ grills at one end of it! The space is often used by tenants for grilling and such; what you don't know is that everyone over the party got a nice note with a fancy bottle of wine to explain what I was doing and that three of the apartments were at the table!

As for doing it on a budget; the party cost more than I should have spent but less than a comparable meal if the group ate out.

Glad you put out more details on exactly how you handled it decoratordave! Thanks. Much more acceptable.